Devon Book Club discussion

All the Light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr has just won the Pulitzer. Sounds a most intriguing and interesting book, and is evidently set in Paris and St Malo, one of my favourite towns. Will read it.

Hi Angela,
My RGrp has read bothPurple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sunby Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, and they were both impressive. Both are painful and grim in part, but the writing (which is what matters, after all) is superb, and in both and we just learned so much. I wondered if Purple Hibiscus should be set alongside China Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart, because no matter how awful the father in the novel, an understanding of where his father was coming from (via Achebe's novel) explains a lot about the father's standpoint. I would read both.

Ive just started HHhH by Laurent Binet - a fascinating story about the attempted assassination of Himmler and Heydrich by two Slovak and Czech resistence fighters in Prague. I think I saw that Ellen has read this?

DrMama wrote: "Hi Angela,
My RGrp has read bothPurple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sunby Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, and they were both impressive. Both are painful and grim in part, but..."

Hi Dr M -thank you, I shall have to suggest these titles for our next set of RG choices -they sound like ideal contenders.

Ian wrote: "Ive just started HHhH by Laurent Binet - a fascinating story about the attempted assassination of Himmler and Heydrich by two Slovak and Czech resistence fighters in Prague. I thi..."
Hi Ian,
I would be really interested to know what you think. I have thought of reading it. Saw a film about the assassination attempt a while ago (forgotten title), and wanted to know more.

DrMama wrote: "Ian wrote: "Ive just started HHhH by Laurent Binet - a fascinating story about the attempted assassination of Himmler and Heydrich by two Slovak and Czech resistence fighters in Pr..."

I am enjoying it so far - a very interesting style. Reads a bit like a drama documentary - told in the first person by someone purporting to be an historian; occasionally loses sharpness as it is trying to be something other than a novel or a historical account and to weave between the two. However, it is very accessible and an easy read that is at teh same time very illuminating.

An interesting take - the Czech king of the 13C encourages lots of German immigrants into Bohemia and Moravia to mine silver to create his wealth. That decision had huge ramifications 700 years later when Hitler takes the Sudetenland and then Czechoslovakia thorugh his Lebensraum policy. Fascinating to think about how decisions at one point in history echo down the centuries

Have just finished Tender Is the Night. It has taken me ages, partly because I found it very slow, partly - to be fair - because I kept breaking into it to read and do other things which were pressing. Perhaps if I had read it in one unbroken sitting I would have felt differently about it. Some of the writing is lovely but overall I found it rather mannered, too studied, and it was a bit of a disappointment after reading The Great Gatsby which I loved.

Have never read either of those, Kathy, but might try The Great Gatsby as you liked it so much.
Have just finished Ken Grimwood's Replay, a rather strange time-travel story. Don't know if it was just my reading it rather quickly, but don't believe there was any sort of reason given for what happened. It also depended, I think, on an understanding of the Universe as having different parallel existences. I like sci-fi but prefer somewhat more realism. However, I did think that he wrote well, and it did hold my attention throughout, which is clearly the sign of a good story.

I'm not sure I've ever read any genuine sci-fi, Carol. Maybe it's time I should be more adventurous. (Though time is always the issue.) I remember how much you enjoyed The Martian though that probably doesn't qualify as sci-fi, does it? Either way, I think I should put it on my TBR list. I'm scared of putting too much on that list in case it becomes intimidating. :)

Kathy wrote: "I'm not sure I've ever read any genuine sci-fi, Carol. Maybe it's time I should be more adventurous. (Though time is always the issue.) I remember how much you enjoyed The Martian t..."

I know what you mean, Kathy, if I tried to stick to my TBR list I'd never do anything except read. Like you, I had never really read much Sci-Fi (except a few feminist novels when doing a 'Women and Lit' course in the late 80s, and a couple of Margaret Atwood's eg.'Oryx and Crake' which I enjoyed), until a friend suggested I try any from the Ian M. Banks 'Culture Series'. I've now read about 3, and enjoyed them all. It was so poignant, as my first read coincided with Banks announcing his terminal cancer, so I became committed to reading them all (and the non-sci-fi) albeit very slowly. My first was 'The Player of Games', which I recommend. It required a certain ...relaxing; I just had to accept that I didn't understand everything, but that it would probably all become clear, eventually.
But, yes, It's a hard call - so many books, so little time -- especially when you're trying to add to the number of books, yourself!

I would be interested to know what you think of The Martian Kathy. I adored it, and am really looking forward to the film.
Yes, Dr Mama, and Kathy, it's difficult sometimes to both write and read as well, but I always feel that my writing benefits from my reading, so I always try and make room for it.
When I was younger I had to borrow from the library(not knocking libraries. I think they are wonderful) or buy second hand books. Now I can buy whatever I want to read and there is such an enormous amount of 'stuff' I want to read that sometimes I feel like a child in a sweet shop able to pick anything!

Have just looked up a few reviews of 'Replay' and I seem to be right, that there was not an explanation given for it all. It reminded me of Groundhog Day, only this time loop kept coming round every 25 years. It's won a major award, but I don't feel I could recommend it. I found it somewhat strange.

Can't wait until I read Anthony Doerr's book, but need to read one other book before I attempt it. Hope I'm not disappointed. It looks like it has all the ingredients I like in a novel.

By the way, if anyone wants to try sci-fi for the first time, John Wyndham's The Chrysalids is exciting, and also short.

Carol wrote: "Have never read either of those, Kathy, but might try The Great Gatsby as you liked it so much.
Have just finished Ken Grimwood's Replay, a rather strange time-travel story. Don't know if it was ju..."

I love Gatsby - such an unusual style. All the characters are pretty horrible in their own way but it gave expression and insight into a particular group of rich, self-indulgent Americans. Such a clever book

DrMama wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I'm not sure I've ever read any genuine sci-fi, Carol. Maybe it's time I should be more adventurous. (Though time is always the issue.) I remember how much you enjoyed The Marti..."</i>

<i>DrMama wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I'm not sure I've ever read any genuine sci-fi, Carol. Maybe it's time I should be more adventurous. (Though time is always the issue.) I remember how much you enjoyed [book:The Marti..."</i>

Have you read the [book:The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks - a surprising and disquieting read

Thanks everyone for some good suggestions for my first trials with sci-fi. I remember seeing Iain Banks interviewed, not long before his diagnosis was made public, and I thought he was a delightful man: funny, articulate, humble. Though I hadn't read his books, I was so saddened by the news.

Hi Ian. No, not yet, but it is on my TBR pile. I know it's one that he is most well-known for. Apart from three of the 'Culture Series' the only ones I've read (a long time ago) are The Crow Road and A Song of Stone. I loved 'Crow Road'. I read it when the TV adaptation was first on - I'm planning to buy the DVD so 'other half' has the pleasure of watching it with me. However, I just did not get on with 'A Song of Stone' and it put me off Banks. Then a year or two ago a friend persuaded me to try the sci-fi.
More recently, my Library Group read 'The Quarry' and I found myself defending it - even though I admit it's not his best. I assumed that as Banks had only written the first draft when he discovered he was dying, it probably would have been much tighter if he'd had more time to edit. I certainly couldn't cope with the response of those who didn't like the novel because of the language, behaviour and nastiness of the characters. Isn't that one of the main reasons why we read fiction? To learn about other people, other cultures, and perhaps ultimately to grow in sympathy?? Or maybe I've just read too much George Eliot.

Never read Iain Banks, but intend to.

DrMama wrote: "Hi Ian. No, not yet, but it is on my TBR pile. I know it's one that he is most well-known for. Apart from three of the 'Culture Series' the only ones I've read (a long time ago) are [book:The Cr..."

Thats a really interesting perspective. Raections to characters are interestign arente they - often hear opeple say none f the charecters evoked any sympathy in me, or I didn;t like the characters - implying that we haev to be able to relate to characters for a book to be enjoyable and meaningful. I like it when that happens but I also like to be made to feel uncomfortable sometimes to get inside a different world view - Great Gatsby is a good example - odious characters but a real glimpse of that lifestyle

Yes, absolutely, Ian. Gt Gatsby is an excellent example, (so pleased you loved it Kathy). SF is such a good writer that without labouring any points, or being over-heavy with the backstory, he does reveal why people are like they are. The clues are there if we're careful readers. So even if we can't exactly sympathise, we understand more.
As I said, possibly too much George Eliot for me, but I also know that training to be a Cruse counsellor made me look at fiction in a whole new way. I think 'The Reader' / 'Get Into Reading' organisation has a similar philosophy. NB I'd probably have a completely different take on 'Song of Stone' if I reread it now.

DrMama wrote: "Yes, absolutely, Ian. Gt Gatsby is an excellent example, (so pleased you loved it Kathy). SF is such a good writer that without labouring any points, or being over-heavy with the backstory, he do..."

I think you've caught it exactly: we need to be able to understand why a character is the way he/she is so that we can empathise. If the characters are all universally horrible without our understanding why, I find myself turning away, struggling to empathise and therefore care what happens to them. It's a risk with stories which are more plot based and pacy; it takes time to fill out a character and that can slow the story down.

I guess that must make for a much more complex approach to the structuring. You are having to ... almost 'leak' info about characters in asides and metaphors and maybe references that don't even, yet, make sense, while also maintaining the pace and forward momentum. Yet at the same time, it can't be too pacy, or people read for the 'what happens' and maybe miss all the subtle background clues.
Alice Munro is one of my favourite writers, and at her best she's brilliant at 'oozing' backstory (Philip Hensher, in a writing course I did, used to talk about writers being able to make the reader 'feel the wallpaper' his favourite example was Elizabeth Taylor), but obviously AM isn't writing pacy stories. It must be a really tricky balancing act for you.
I felt that Iain Banks was trying to do both in 'The Quarry' although it's not his best, so I'm hoping to find better examples. I'm trying to write a crime novel (not at all my usual thing, I'm an utter beginner in this area) and I'm at a loss for good stylists to have a look at.

DrMama wrote: "I guess that must make for a much more complex approach to the structuring. You are having to ... almost 'leak' info about characters in asides and metaphors and maybe references that don't even, y..."
I haven't read Alice Munro, Carole. I must give her a try (oh dear, that TBR list...)
'Crime' covers a lot of different types of work - what kind are you working on? Or would you prefer not to say yet? (Or perhaps we should continue this on the current writing thread?!)

Kathy wrote: "DrMama wrote: "I guess that must make for a much more complex approach to the structuring. You are having to ... almost 'leak' info about characters in asides and metaphors and maybe references tha..."

Hi Kathy,
Yes, I'm happy to say more over on the 'current writing thread'. Meanwhile, quickly (I'm still in my dressing gown, horrid morning here), if you want a 'first' Alice Munro, I recommend 'Lives of Girls and Women'. Harbour bookshop has it - or they did last week when I bought a copy as part of a friend's birthday present. There have also been a few articles written about it recently, eg: this week's TLS. 'LoG&W' is one book by Munro that is most like a novel (she's mainly known for short stories), although the chapters can also stand alone as stories.
I fell in love with her work about 25 years ago, when a seeming fuddy-duddy beloved lecturer in Canadian Lit. announced to the lecture theatre that he was 'an Alice Munro groupie'. Still makes me smile.
I was so pleased when she got the Nobel prize - I had friends around the world emailing me, 'cos they knew how much I adored her work. Having said that ... most of my Reading Group did not like 'Runaway' - I'm quite glad I wasn't at that session, as it is my 2nd favourite after 'LoG&W'!

DrMama wrote: "Kathy wrote: "DrMama wrote: "I guess that must make for a much more complex approach to the structuring. You are having to ... almost 'leak' info about characters in asides and metaphors and maybe ..."
Thanks Carole! I'll check it out. Though I have already been into Harbour this morning so will have to do that again!

I really liked the John Wyndham books, but I thought that Ian Bank's The Wasp Factory was excellent. I have recently lent it out to a friend's daughter to read. I can't say too much about it as I feel it would be a spoiler.
I have read The Great Gatsby a few times, at school as a set book and again with our reading group. It gave an insight into the lives of the wealthy at that time and the characters were fairly unlikeable in general. The book was well written though, but I was glad that it was fairly short, I haven't seen the latest film of it yet, but would like to at some point. I have only read one Alice Munroe book of short stories.

Will put The Wasp Factory on my to read list.

Just finished my first Val McDermid book,Cross and Burn read for my bookgroup, Enjoyed it although it's not my usual thing, find the descriptions of violence done to the victims a bit much but the characters are really well written and I really wanted to know what happened.
Also reading The Slow Regard of Silent Things as a stopgap until Mr Rothfuss finally finishes book three of his trilogy (I hope it's trilogy anyway, over three years waiting so far!)
I'm really enjoying it his use of language is really wonderful.

Have just started Sally Cabot Gunning's book, The Widow's War, and also TK Naliaka's novel, In Time of Peril.

I've just finished A Colder War by Charles Cumming. He is frequently described as being the natural successor to John Le Carre - whose work I love - but I'm not sure. Inevitably they both write 'spy' novels but, while I enjoy Cummings' books, they are a very different beast: far more adventure stories and, to my mind, much less nuanced than Le Carre's. I do find the descriptions of the spy 'craft' fascinating though; it's an intriguing world to enter.

Kathy wrote: "I've just finished A Colder War by Charles Cumming. He is frequently described as being the natural successor to John Le Carre - whose work I love - but I'm not sure. Inevitably the..."

Thanks Kathy. Spy stories aren't something I've relaly got into, though I have read the odd Le Carre book.

I'm currently reading A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz- one of the recommendations from my trip to Mr B's in March. This is his first novel and was shortlisted for the Booker. I can see why. It is a wonderful book. Hard to describe but fantastic on character in partcular, easy to read and something of a page turner. It is set in Australia and is about family, identity, relationships, crime. The vehicle is a retrospective by a man recounting his life from when he was about 8 and awoke from a 4 year coma. It begins with him in prison as an adult and one memorabel sentence referring to his father (which hooked me) was "they will never find his body". What follows is a fast paced, unusual, often quirky story, told with a lot of humour.

Hi folks! I used to belong to a Reading Group when I worked in a library, but since leaving there I haven't found a new group to join. I really miss the in depth discussions we used to have. I'd love to try to re-create that Reading Group experience on Good Reads. Anyone got any thoughts about this? It would mean a number of people reading the same book at more or less the same time.

Hi there! I've just finished reading the bone people by Keri Hulme (I've been informed that she prefers the book to be referred to I lower caps). It was excellent but it did take me a little while to get into as I didn't particularly like the characters until they went on holiday to Moerangi - if you've read it or if not it takes place roughly a third into the book.

Right now I'm reading "The Heart of the Matter" by Graham Greene and will keep you posted of how I get on.

I'm currently reading . I must be one of the few people who haven't seen the film so it's all fresh to me. Enjoying it very much so far.

Lisa wrote: "I am currently reading The Martian by Andy Weir, which I have heard lots of good things about."

It's one of the best books I have ever read. We have given it a mention in one of our sections (can't remember which one, but I expect Ian will pop up and tell me).The film's coming out later in the year. Can't wait!

Lisa wrote: "Carol wrote: "It's one of the best books I have ever read. We have given it a mention in one of our sections (can't remember which one, but I expect Ian will pop up and tell me).The film's coming o..."
I haven't read that yet, but keep meaning to. I gather it's very long.

Wendy wrote: "Hi folks! I used to belong to a Reading Group when I worked in a library, but since leaving there I haven't found a new group to join. I really miss the in depth discussions we used to have. I'd lo..."

Ahh - I knowe someone had suggested this and couldn't fnd the message - I put a post up on a new thread about this Wendy, asking people a) if they would like this and b) whether someone would co-ordinate it. If you felt able to do so that would be great if teh idea gets any takers. Dont imagine it would take a lot of organising

Kathy wrote: "I'm currently reading . I must be one of the few people who haven't seen the film so it's all fresh to me. Enjoying it very much so far."

Such a lovely book. I read it many years ago now. A gentle read from what I remember

Carol wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I am currently reading The Martian by Andy Weir, which I have heard lots of good things about."

It's one of the best books I have ever read. We have given it a mention in one of our s..."

Call me Zebedee! I think it was on the challenge #4 World Book Night books thread

Just started reading The Miniaturist at last, enjoying it so far.

Ley wrote: "Just started reading The Miniaturist at last, enjoying it so far."

Ahh I haev that on my Kindle but havent got to it yet. Be interested to hear how you get on wiht it

Really enjoying The Improbability of Love. The iol is actually an old painting, which occasionally acts as narrator! There is a bit about art (which i am finding very interesting) and the writer is taking over as chair of the National Gallery this year so knows what she is talking about. Actually like the characters. Oh, and the main character is from Devon and often compares the flora in London to her previous home near Dartmoor. But sadly no letter for the challenge.

The Improbability of Love sounds fascinating. Just added it to my TBR!

Sue wrote: "Really enjoying The Improbability of Love. The iol is actually an old painting, which occasionally acts as narrator! There is a bit about art (which i am finding very interesting)..."

Perhaps we ougth to haev a challenge leater in the year on books that are set in, or in some way relate to, Devon - then we'll allow you a retrospective!

Ive just seen that Alison is reading The Shipping News bu Annie Proulx. I love her work and that book in particular. If you enjoy it Ali, tryPostcards - wonderful short stories.

Anyone else an Annie Proulx fan?

Ian wrote: "Ive just seen that Alison is reading The Shipping News bu Annie Proulx. I love her work and that book in particular. If you enjoy it Ali, tryPostcards - wonderful short st..."

I'm a fan!Have readThe Shipping News, Brokeback Mountain, Postcards and other short story collections.

Ian wrote: "Ive just seen that Alison is reading The Shipping News bu Annie Proux"

I've only read the book of short stories that has Brokeback Mountain but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks for the tip Ian. I've just finished The Shipping News and thoroughly enjoyed it (think that was one of yours I took when you brought a box full of books into the office!)

Really liked The Shipping News by Annie Proulx, didn't think the film did it justice though.